LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The CSU Bakersfield softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader on Saturday to close its Western Athletic Conference series. The Roadrunners fell 12-1 in five innings in the first game of the day, then had a comeback fall short in a 4-2 loss to the NM State Aggies to end the series.

Game 1

The Aggies took a three-run lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to Corrin Green's swing. The Aggies' designated player sent a ball over the fence to put NMSU ahead 3-0. In the bottom of the second, an error by the 'Runners led to an unearned run for NMSU, which took a 4-0 lead.

NMSU returned the favor in the top of the third with a pair of errors of their own. After senior Alex Simmons doubled and fellow senior Sydney Raeber walked, Chris Hipa's single to left field was misplayed and allowed Simmons to score. After Maddi Clark was hit by a pitch with two outs, the bases were loaded for the 'Runners, but a strikeout ended the threat as CSUB settled at 4-1.

The Aggies exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the third to extend their lead to 12-1 and held on for the run-rule win. Karysta Donisthorpe earned the complete-game victory, scattering five hits while striking out four 'Runners.

Five different 'Runners recorded hits in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. Raeber went 1-for-2 with a walk while Simmons' double and a sacrifice bunt led to a 1-for-2 day and the only run scored for CSUB. Junior Lyndsay Klimenko took the loss after pitching 3.2 innings and giving up five earned runs to the Aggies.

Game 2

NM State struck first with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Victoria Castro's triple brought a run around before a wild pitch scored a second run. With one out, a grounder scored Brennalyn Nakamura, giving the Aggies a 3-0 advantage.

The 'Runners got a run back in the top of the third. Sophomore Kaylynn Burt doubled and moved to third on a grounder. Right fielder Julea Cavazos drove Burt in with a single up the middle, cutting the NMSU lead to just two runs.

Senior Michelle Cannata earned a pinch-hit walk in the top of the fifth. A sacrifice bunt by Burt moved Cannata to second and a grounder helped the senior catcher advance to third with two outs, but the 'Runners were unable to bring Cannata home as the score remained 3-1.

Starter Amber Mills held the Aggies scoreless for the next two innings before NMSU put up a fourth run in the bottom of the fifth. The 'Runners went down with a fight in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs, catcher Jo Larios singled to right field. Burt continued a great game by tripling down the right field line. Burt's second three-bagger of the season brought Larios home and made the score 4-2. The 'Runners were unable to plate Burt and fell by that score.

Burt was the only 'Runner to have two hits in the game while Cavazos drove in the other run for CSUB. Cavazos went 1-for-4 in the game and has now reached base safely in eight straight contests. Mills earned her third complete game of the season in the loss. The senior allowed eight hits and six walks but managed to hold the high-powered Aggie offense to just four runs.

The Roadrunners (13-29, 5-7 WAC) will return home for the final week of the regular season. Grand Canyon will travel to Bakersfield as the 'Lopes and 'Runners are set to wrap up the final WAC series of the year, Apr. 29-30.

~GoRunners.com~